Susan Creel already pleaded guilty as part of a deal with the government.
Most of the third day of the trial of 10 men suspected of manufacturing or distributing methamphetamine centered on the testimony of a woman who already pleaded guilty to a related charge of “continuing criminal enterprise.”
Susan Creel said she is still a member of the Aryan Circle, the organization through which prosecutors say the drugs were distributed, but plans to drop her membership. Creel will be ousted from the group anyway, she said, because of her testimony identifying fellow members as having committed crimes, which is against Aryan Circle code.
“You keep it all in the family,” Creel said in response to U.S. District Attorney Mark Roomberg’s question about how conflict between members is handled. “If you take it outside the family, you could be fined, smashed or removed” from the group, she said.
Creel said “smashed” is a term used for punishment, usually physical, given by members and ordered by group leaders.
Creel, who appeared resigned but composed throughout her lengthy testimony, paused for a long moment when Roomberg asked if she feared retaliation because of her testimony.
“I would like to say no,” Creel said. “But I can’t. Human nature is such that if you can’t take responsibility for your actions, you strike out.”
Creel pleaded guilty as part of a deal with the government. She said she is hoping for a shorter term in jail and a long probation as a result of her testimony.